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Councilors To Seek Answers On Parcel Fee |
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Tuesday, 04 August 2009 |
By MIKE BURKHOLDER
Managing Editor
ST. MARYS — City councilors plan to ask the Auglaize County commissioners to attend a future meeting to explain the purpose behind the recently enacted improved parcel fee.
Members of the St. Marys Solidwaste Committee Monday were briefed on some of the changes in the Auglaize County Solidwaste Management Plan during their Monday meeting. Included in the plan is the $20 per improved parcel fee enacted by the commissioners earlier this year — a fee, according to the county Web site, that was established to pay for costs associated with a lawsuit with the city of St. Marys regarding the former landfill.
“The monitoring was supposed to be paid by fees that were collected,” committee member Dennis Vossler said. “Those fees were assessed and collected. So tell me why the county commissioners had to hit up the public — I just don’t understand it. We’re paying twice, I’m baffled.”
To help address the concerns, Safety-Service Director Tom Hitchcock said an invitation will be extended to the county commissioners today to attend a future meeting. Hitchcock said it will more than likely be the Aug. 24 meeting.
“I think they need to be there,” Hitchcock said during an exchange on the improved parcel fee. “That’s one of the many reasons we want to bring them in, we don’t have the answers.”
According to the county Web site, the annual fee is expected to generate $370,000 for the Auglaize County Solid Waste District.
The plan must be ratified by 75 percent of the population to go into effect. However, Industrial and Community Development Manager Todd Fleagle said regardless of the vote, the improved parcel fee will remain on the books.
“I asked that question,” Fleagle said. “Even if you vote no, the parcel fee will stay.”
Committee members also were briefed on the purchase of a new recycling truck. The vehicle, which had a price tag of $138,340, will replace a 1994 model with more than 19,000 hours. The old truck will remain in the fleet and serve as a back-up.
Members of the St. Marys Water and Wastewater Committee also met Monday night. Superintendent Dave Sprague updated committee members on the progress at the new wastewater treatment plant as well as pool attendance.
“Substantial completion was July 13, meaning Peterson is done,” Sprague said, noting the contractor is completing minor details. “It is meeting limits and everything is up and running.”
Sprague said pool attendance this year has dipped a bit because of below normal temperatures in July. Recent reports have put July temperatures as the coolest in 25 years.
“We had good attendance in June,” Sprague said.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 01 September 2009 )
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